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Well if you want to feel like you are Tom Hanks in the movie Big, here is your chance but with your hands! Another fascinatingly bizzare device, these Piano Hand Gloves play piano notes when tapped on to a hard surface. For $49.99 your fingertips can make music. Awesome.
Dots Gloves makes a whole lot of cool gloves. These cool knit gloves are used to be able to register on touch screens with out removing the glove. They come in left or right handed and are usable with resistive and other models with capacitive screens (iPhone users can rejoice). This version is for resistive touch and have rounded metal tips that wont scratch your screen. Really cool for $10.00.
iKey, know for it’s rugged keyboards, had released its AK-39 wearable keyboard. It complies to MIL-461 standards and is intended for military use. It features right or left hand configuration, adjustable back light, night vision compatibility, and a Force Sensing Resistor pointing device. Right now its a military item but don’t be surprised if this kind of product comes to the general public soon.
Take a silicon keyboard and a pair of jeans and you can also attempt this. Zach, the brave builder, took a laser cutter to make the key holes and then stitched in the keyboard. Since the keyboard had to be cut, only the left hand works. For a DIY im sure someone can figure out how to get the other side to work. It is cool to see people attempt to make wearable tech. Keep it coming!
QIO Systems is now offering textile touch pads for fashion fabricators. Using Elektex and SOFTswitch technology, and is completely fabric. That means that it can be washed and dry cleaned. Even though it is washable, it is rated at up to 100,000 keypresses.
Next to the fabric keypad QIO Systems offers a wide range of electronic modules with control functions for the iPod, Bluetooth cell phones, wearable radio, Push-to-talk solutions and complete solution for integrated heating and integrated lighting into garments and soft goods.
Celio comes out of the gate with this trendy tech suit. The Celio Club Suit is an iPod enabled suit using QIO Systems SOFTSwitch. The controls are inside the breast of the suit and and the dock is discretely located. For $277.00 you can get the jacket alone or add $92.70 for the matching pants. Fancy.
The Voltage iPod Messenger Bag is a high quality connected bag. These sharp looking bags have Fibretronic CONNECTEDwear controls built in and can control both iPods and iPhones. Featuring Fibretronic’s new controls in its shoulder strap, it now has a click feel to the push.
The five button controls on both bags include the functions: On/Off/Play/Pause, Prev/Next and volume Up/Down. The new Voltage bags work with all 30-pin iPods including iPod touch and iPhone. Currently the Voltage bag controller only operates the iPod part of the iPhone and does not allow to make/answer calls, something that would be on my ‘must have’ list in a next version. Colors are Black/Red, Orange/Pistachio and Beige/Blue. Pony up that $119.00 and get one.
Xara iPlay iPod Warm-up Jacket is a nice addition to you sport gear collection. This soccer brand has created a logically designed affordable jacket. With sleeve mounted iPod controls, smart cord managment, and a $99.99 price tag, you cannot go wrong. Available in Mens or Womens.
UK retailer Republic has released its Crafted iPod Jacket. This bomber jacket is made of metallic yarn and has a crushed look. Sleeve mounted controls and iPod pocket are integrated nicely. The softswitch technology is from Fibretronic and utilizes their CONNECTED-wear module.
The jacket is washable and all vital electronics are removable. Sadly only available in the UK for $109.40.
Fibretronic has released a new series of controls. The FTXS series is a soft control keypad that is able to be integrated into textiles. The super soft keypad is targeted for mobile devices.This is designed to work directly with Fibretronics CONNECTED-wear modules for iPod, iPhone and MP3. These Fibretronic products are found in many smart textiles sold.